A new year represents a new beginning, and this year for Toledo Public Schools, it is an opportunity to reimagine our future while honoring the strong foundation we have built together. As the newly elected President of the Board of Education, I am ready to help guide our district through a year that will require hard work, tough discussions, and a relentless focus on doing what is best for our students.
I hold one simple belief: our future will be brighter because of the thoughtful, collaborative work we are beginning now.
TPS is at the beginning of the transformation process. Like many school districts across Ohio and the nation, we are facing significant financial pressures due to declining state and federal funding, enrollment shifts, rising costs, and funds allocated to charter schools and the voucher program that should support public education in Ohio. These challenges are real, and they require us to plan carefully, responsibly, and transparently to ensure the long-term stability of our district.
While this moment is difficult, it is not unfamiliar. TPS has faced obstacles before. While today's challenges are greater than they were 13 years ago, our history shows we respond best when we focus on innovation and collaboration. It’s important for our stakeholders to know that this transformation is not about abandoning who we are; it is about building on our past to stabilize our future.
We know that change creates uncertainty. We understand the concern our staff, families, and community members may be feeling, as we have already had to make difficult decisions, including staffing reductions and program cuts. These decisions were not a reflection of the value of the people or programs impacted; they are the result of very real financial issues that must be addressed.
I want to be candid and acknowledge that the initial discussions of our plans did not go as smoothly as we had hoped. I want to rectify the missteps and rebuild relationships that may have been affected. We are committed to engaging openly with our union leadership and staff. Your voices and expertise are not just welcome—they are essential to shaping the path we take to move TPS forward.
I also want to be very clear about the "draft" ideas that have circulated: no final decisions have been made. The Board directed the administration to think "outside the box" to develop an initial framework for our transformation plan. Those items were for discussion, not for public negotiation. Moving forward, the Board of Education is committed to communicating openly, and in return, we ask for your collaboration. While difficult decisions may ultimately be part of our final plan, every step will be approached with empathy and respect.
To ensure this is a collaborative process rather than a predetermined one, we will hold a series of community meetings in the coming weeks and look forward to hearing your ideas and questions.
The process is designed for accountability. New committee structures have been implemented to oversee the Transformation Plan and monitor our work and progress. When new information becomes available, we will share it.
This work will take time and evoke strong emotions. But by working together, I am confident that Toledo Public Schools will emerge stronger, more stable, and more innovative than ever.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Christine Varwig
President of the Board of Education